 Will it make teens stop going to Thailand on the weekends? Ms Somdy Phomsouvanh, 18, a resident of Savang village, said: "Now we have a shopping centre. The movie theatre is something that many teenagers need. Today I came with my mum and my sister to walk around the centre. I will watch a movie in the new theatre. I hope the theatre is as good as the ones over the border. If so then I will stop going to Thailand. I usually go to watch movies in Thailand because our country didn't have a movie theatre. But after this I will not go, I will watch movies in our country because it will save me money. We don't have to go because the ITECC centre is modern. I can come here with my mum or with my friends. This place might become the centre point of Vientiane if the prices are not too expensive. The prices right now are ok, but I worry that they will increase when more people go. They might not have everything in the centre at the moment but I think it will improve in the future. I see there some areas that are still empty." Ms Mee, 28, a resident of Sihom village, said: "I like the ITECC centre. It will be my new place for relaxing with my friends. I will come to go bowling and watch movies with my friends when we have free time. I watched a movie in the theatre already. It is modern and the sound is excellent. I am also looking forward to the concerts they are planning. There is a big stage at the centre, which will be very exciting. I think it is a good place because now teenagers might not choose to go and hang out at beer shops." Mr Soulignong Nhouyvanisvong, Managing Director of the International Trade Exhibition Convention Centre (ITECC), said: "ITECC opened in 2004. There are two movie theatres, and there is an international bowling centre. Since we opened many people have shown interest, not just teenagers. The whole family can come. Children can come to play with toys, teenagers can come to watch movies and go bowling and their parents can come to walk around and see all the things on sale. Every weekend the bowling centre is full, and the movie theatre is full during the last rounds at 9pm. People can come to see concerts and after that they can come to watch a movie. We have built a theatre because our country did not have one and people who cannot afford to go to watch movies in Thailand can come here. The movies in our country will be cheaper, because the cost for crossing the border is quite expensive. In the centre there will be karaoke and games in the near future. Every weekend in the evening we will have a free concert for people. Normal people or amateur singers can go on stage to sing songs. Sometimes there will be a circus show. Mr Chansakone Sinmany, 18, a resident in That Luang village said: "I think ITECC is now very popular among Lao people, especially teenagers, because there are many entertainment facilities. So far, ITECC is the most modern place in Laos that can persuade a high number of people to visit. I like the movie theatre the most because I like watching movies. However, I think ITECC should improve some areas in the centre so that it is more comfortable, especially the shopping booths. They should be larger than this because when you have a trade fair it'll be very crowded if the booths are small. I think ITECC will continue to be popular because it is not like other entertainment venues." Ms Phonetip Sihalath, 16, a resident in Nongbone village said: "I like ITECC because it's much more modern than other places in Vientiane. It's a place where teenagers, especially students like me, like going. I think people like ITECC because of it has new things. The movie theatre is popular because it's new here. Nevertheless, I think ITECC still needs to change some things, particularly the opening and closing times. It should be opened in the afternoon or evening on office days because if it's opened in the afternoon, some students may skip school to go to ITECC. That causes problems for society as well as their education. I also think the price of bowling at ITECC is more expensive than other places." |
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